EIt took less than twenty-four hours before the first problems arose in implementing a planned prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas. At midnight on Wednesday evening, the Israeli government sent a brief message from National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. The release of the first hostages in the Gaza Strip will not take place “before Friday”. No reason given. Earlier in the night, Israel’s government approved a deal brokered by Qatar and Egypt that included a prisoner exchange, a cease-fire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. It should be implemented from Thursday morning. On Thursday afternoon, Qatar announced that the start of the ceasefire would be postponed until 7am on Friday.
There were different explanations for how the surprising delay occurred. Israeli media reported this morning that two Israeli negotiators, David Barnia and Nitzen Alon, “discovered loopholes in the agreement” during talks in Qatar. Intermediary sources in the Gulf state told FAZ that the reason was “technical questions” and compilation of lists of persons. According to the agreement, 50 Israeli hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip on October 7 will be released in small groups over four days, while Israel wants to release 150 Palestinian prisoners at once. Children, youth and women on both sides.
Disagreements about the role of the Red Cross?
Qatar’s statement echoed that of Israeli radio station Khan. Accordingly, Cabinet members were informed on Thursday afternoon that negotiations on certain aspects of the agreement would continue in Qatar. According to the report, it concerns the composition of the hostage list and the procedure for their release; For example, the question of whether the handover would take place through the Red Cross or whether the hostages would be handed over directly to Egypt by Hamas.
AFP quoted a Palestinian official as saying there was disagreement over the role of the Red Cross. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday evening that the deal also stipulates that agency staff may visit the hostages. Their families have been demanding this for a long time. However, it is not clear what time frame this should be and whether it will apply to the hostages who will be released in the coming days. The Wall Street Journal newspaper wrote that Hamas has not provided any information on the health of the group.
Other reports pointed to Hamas as the renegotiating party. There may have been disagreements over the details of the release of Palestinian prisoners. However, there was hope that the deal would go through. The Qatari government said on Thursday morning that it was working in coordination with Egypt and the United States to ensure the swift implementation of the deal.
Fighting continues in Gaza
Before the delay, Netanyahu had already raised hopes of further releases. At a press conference Wednesday evening, he spoke of “next steps” that could follow the deal. Netanyahu said of the Israeli hostages now set to be released: “I believe there will be more than 50, but I cannot guarantee.” After the first phase, Israel and Hamas offered to release more abductees. can For every group of ten hostages released, the ceasefire will be extended by one day. And there will be a three-to-one ratio of prisoners being released. A list of Palestinian prisoners submitted by Israel already provides the case and includes 300 names. The maximum length of the ceasefire shall be ten days.
Netanyahu has made it clear that the war will continue until Israel achieves all of its goals: the return of all hostages, the elimination of Hamas and the securing of the border area. At his press conference on Wednesday evening, he launched a series of dire threats, including to the exiled Hamas leadership in Qatar. “He instructed the Mossad to take action against Hamas leaders wherever they are,” Netanyahu said when asked by a journalist whether Hamas would play a role in the future. The cease-fire agreement with Hamas includes “no obligation” for Israel not to attack Hamas leaders abroad.
Fighting continued in the Gaza Strip on Thursday. An Israeli military spokesman told reporters in the afternoon: “Until the order to cease firing comes, we will continue.” Attacks will be conducted as usual. At the same time, the army is preparing to take control of the Gaza Strip from south to north once a cease-fire is in place.
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